Device for winding a flexible tube

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for winding a flexible tube comprising two blades LAM that are coupled in rotation about a pivoting axis PIVO appearing at the left-hand end of these blades. The device is defined such that: a blade LAM has, on its left-hand edge, a first notch En 1  which is open at the top and which is formed by a first arc of a circle Ac 1  whose origin is a connection point P2 located on the right-hand edge of this notch and on the longitudinal axis AXL of this device, the blade LAM has, on its right-hand edge, a second notch En 2  which is open at the top and which is formed by a second arc of a circle Ac 2  whose origin is a connection point P 4  located on the right-hand edge of this notch and on the longitudinal axis AXL of this device, and a diameter of these arcs of circles Ac 1,  Ac 2  is supported by the longitudinal axis AXL. Moreover, one of these arcs of a circle (Ac 2 ) has an angle at the centre equal to the sum of 180° and an additional angle (K) greater than 0°.

The present invention relates to a device for winding a flexible tube. By way of example, the term “flexible tube” is used to cover pipes, cords, electric wires, or cables.

In general, difficulties are encountered when winding, in other words when coiling, garden hoses, swimming pool suction pipes, or electric cables, since they twist, curl in all directions, and thus degrade quickly. It is very awkward to wind them in satisfactory manner.

Document CN 201 656 347 U is further known, which describes a stripping clamp. This clamp consists of two blades coupled in rotation about a pivot axis at the left end of these blades so that:

-   -   one of the blades has on its left-hand edge a first upwardly         open notch that is formed by a first arc of circle whose origin         is a connection point located on the right-hand edge of this         notch and on the longitudinal axis of this device,     -   this blade has on its right-hand edge a second upwardly open         notch that is formed by a second arc of circle whose origin is a         connection point located on the right-hand edge of the notch and         on the longitudinal axis of this device, and     -   a diameter of theses arcs of circle is supported by the         longitudinal axis.

This clamp does not make it possible to trap the flexible tube because nothing is provided to retain it.

The purpose of the present invention is thus to facilitate the winding of a flexible tube.

According to the invention, a device for winding a flexible tube comprises two blades that are coupled in rotation about a pivoting axis at the left-hand end of these blades so that:

-   -   one of the blades has on its left-hand edge a first upwardly         open notch that is formed by a first arc of circle whose origin         is a connection point located on the right-hand edge of this         notch and on the longitudinal axis of this device,     -   this blade has on its right-hand edge a second upwardly open         notch that is formed by a second arc of circle whose origin is a         connection point located on the right-hand edge of this notch         and on the longitudinal axis of this device, and     -   a diameter of theses arcs of circle is supported by the         longitudinal axis;

in addition, one of these circular arcs has an angle at the centre equal to the sum of 180° and an additional angle greater than 0°.

Thus, a first loop is formed in the pipe, which therefore has two strands. The device is opened so as to insert the two strands in corresponding notches. Finally, the device is closed so as to hold captive the two strands, which are thus prevented from moving. It then suffices to turn the loop formed in this way in order to wind the pipe.

By way of example, the additional angle is equal to 45°.

It is preferable for the additional angle to be greater than 0° in order to pinch the pipe a little while it is being inserted into the device.

Advantageously, the two arcs of circle have identical diameters.

In a preferred embodiment, a spacer is arranged on the pivoting axis between the two blades.

For greater convenience, holder means are provided that are fastened to the pivoting axis.

Finally, an abutment may be provided on one of the blades, which abutment is perpendicular to the blade.

The present invention appears below in greater detail in the following description of an embodiment given by way of illustration and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a blade of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the device when closed, and

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the device when open.

Elements present in more than one of the figures are given the same references in each of them.

With reference to FIG. 1, a blade LAM is in the form of an elongate plate of rectangular shape with short sides that are rounded, the plate having a longitudinal axis AXL corresponding with that of the device. It presents a pivoting axis, PIVO, appearing to its left-hand edge and that is supported by the longitudinal axis AXL.

The blade LAM has on its left-hand edge a first upwardly open notch En1. Two connection points P1, P2 are defined as the points of intersection between the notch and the longitudinal axis AXL.

This first notch En1 is in the form of a first arc of circle Ac1.

The blade LAM has on its right-hand edge a second upwardly open notch En2. Two connection points P3, P4 are defined as the points of intersection between the notch and the longitudinal axis AXL.

This second notch En2 is in the form of a second arc of circle Ac2.

The first arc of circle Ac1 is in the form of a semi-circle.

The second arc of circle Ac2 has an angle at the centre that is equal to the sum of 180° and an additional angle K. It terminates in one point P5, appearing on the right-hand end of the blade LAM. This additional angle K is greater than 0°. In practice, it exceeds this value and may be as much as 50°. Typically, it is about 45°.

In practice, advantageously, the two arcs of circle have the same diameter, that of the flexible tube that it is suitable to wind. However, if the flexible tube is provided with a tip, an arc of a circle adapted to this tip and the other arc of circle adapted to the tube itself can be provided.

With reference to FIG. 3, two blades, the top blade 31 and the bottom blade 32 are assembled facing each other about their pivoting axis PIVO, which they have in common. The assembly means (not shown) may be a bolt, a flattened pin, a rivet, or any other analogous means known to the person skilled in the art.

On the first blade 31, there can be seen an abutment 33 that projects rearwards and that is thus perpendicular to the blade. This abutment has two functions:

-   -   it makes it easier to take hold of the device in the hand, and     -   it limits turning of the two blades 31, 32 relative to each         other.

A spacer (not shown) may optionally be provided between the two blades 31, 32 along the pivoting axis PIVO.

In this figure, the device is shown open, so it is possible to insert a flexible tube into one of the notches providing the tube has the same diameter as the arcs of circle.

Furthermore, it is possible to form a loop, thereby having two strands, so as to insert the first strand in the left notch of the top blade 31 and the second strand in the right notch of the same blade.

With reference to FIG. 3, the device is shown closed. There can clearly be seen the two circles that are formed by the two blades when their longitudinal axes are in alignment.

Each of these two circles serves to hold captive a respective strand of the loop.

Holder means 35 can also be seen for holding the flexible tube captive when it is fully wound. It may be a strap or a tape provided with a self-gripping strip. Ideally, it is fastened to the pivoting axis PIVO.

The above-described embodiment of the invention has been selected because of its concrete nature. Nevertheless, it is not possible to list exhaustively all embodiments covered by the invention. In particular, any of the means described may be replaced by equivalent means without going beyond the scope of the present invention. 

1-6. (canceled)
 7. A device for winding a flexible tube comprising two blades (LAM, 31, 32) that are coupled in rotation about a pivoting axis (PIVO) appearing at the left-hand end of said blades so that: one of said blades (LAM) has on its left-hand edge a first upwardly open notch (En1) that is formed by a first arc of circle (Ac1) whose origin is a connection point (P2) located on the right-hand edge of this notch and on the longitudinal axis (AXL) of this device, said blade (LAM) has on its right-hand edge a second upwardly open notch (En2) that is formed by a second arc of circle (Ac2) whose origin is a connection point (P4) located on the right-hand edge of this notch and on the longitudinal axis (AXL) of this device, and a diameter of said arcs of circle (Ac1, Ac2) is supported by the longitudinal axis (AXL), wherein one of said arcs of circle (Ac2) has an angle at the centre that is equal to the sum of 180° and an additional angle (K) greater than 0°.
 8. The device according to claim 7, wherein said additional angle (K) is equal to 45°.
 9. The device according to claim 7, wherein said arcs of circle (Ac1, Ac2) have identical diameters.
 10. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that a spacer is arranged on said pivoting axis (PIVO) between the two blades (31, 32).
 11. The device according to claim 7, wherein holder means (35) are provided that are fastened to said pivoting axis (PIVO).
 12. The device according to claim 7, wherein an abutment (33) is provided on said blade (LAM, 31), which abutment is perpendicular to this blade. 